100 injured as villagers clash in Habiganj

At least 100 people, including three policemen, were injured as villagers clashed over purchase of scrapped goods from Omera Cylinder Company in Bahubal upazila town of Habiganj on Sunday.

At least 20 shops were vandalised and looted during the incident, said police and locals.

Of the injured, eight were admitted to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, 15 to Habiganj Sadar Hospital and 20 to the upazila health complex while the rest given first aid.

Mullah Monir Hosain, officer-in-charge of Bahubal Police Station, said when one Belayet Hossain and Dulal of Mirpur area went to purchase 4,000 scrapped cylinders from the company on August 28,   Shamsu Master Group of Natun Bazar area resisted them.

Tension mounted in the area over a few days. People of Chargaon village took position for Belayet while residents of Purbo Joypur and six other adjoining villages supported Shamsu.

On Sunday night, supporters of Belayet and Shamsu equipped with lethal weapons clashed over the issue, leaving at least 97 people from both sides injured.

During the incident, three policemen were also injured when a police team rushed to the spot, said the OC.  

The law enforcers fired at least 300 rubber bullets and 18 tear gas canisters to bring the situation under control, he said.